99 word prompt : Arrogance

March 2, 2017 prompt:In 99 words (no more, no less) include slag in a story. Slag is a glass-like by-product of smelting or refining ore. Slag is also used in making glass or can result from melting glass. It can be industrious or artistic. Go where the prompt leads.

Australian model and designer Madeline Stuart, who has Down syndrome, exits the runway after presenting creations from her label “21 Reasons Why by Madeline Stuart” during New York Fashion Week in Manhattan. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/02/14/model-down-syndrome-fashion-line/23320/

<_><_><_><_>

As my knuckle approached the musty old door, my outspoken personality fled into the background. No! I must get this over with!

A gruff voice said, “Enter,”

“You wanted to see me Professor?” I asked.

“You called me dense. My IQ is 170!”

“I don’t care if it’s 360,” I said. “You told a guy with Down Syndrome…”

“He is developmentally disabled.”

“I’m in your slag heap, too. Mine’s called Dyslexia, you just can’t see it.“

I’ve been on the receiving end of “Why are you here?” and am grateful for the people who went to bat for me. I graduated with a B.S. with the help of disabled student services. All my books were recorded on tape. Without that assistance, and extra time on tests, I wouldn’t have made it through college. The nebulous assessment of IQ becomes moot when “what I know” is graduate school level and “how I learn” hovers between elementary school and junior high. 🙂

Now, I have the privilege of going to bat for people who cannot do it for themselves. It feels good to be able to give back. 🙂

It wasn’t until college (and I went 10 years later than most) that I even understood the are different types of learning disabilities and styles. It made education more accessible to me as it did to you, too. I remember thinking, where was this in school? I’m so happy to hear you go to bat for others now!

I dropped out the first time at the age of 20. Went back again at 31 and graduated at 36 (not much transfers after 10 years). it was only after testing and getting help that I understood why I had such a hard time the first time around. One thing I’m sure that both of us learned is that for every person the LD is different.

I like this because as a teacher for many years I know that intelligence is not a reflection of some convoluted, IQ test…some of the smartest people I know are people who for a variety of reasons dropped out of school or chose not to finish…well done you for sticking with it and realising your dream…

That is a great flash. Well done for your perseverance and fantastic that you are now going into bat for others maybe not quite as able to bat for themselves. I saw Madeline Stewart on TV the other night – just fantastic. I was equally thrilled when I saw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6He0FWoFj0 some years ago.

I had a school friend with a sister with Downs syndrome and what struck me was that what she lacked was more than made up for by her human attributes that sadly these days humanity collectively seem to be lacking.

In some countries, it’s proper behavior to kill a teen-aged girl whose ankle was visible under a full-body covering. In others, kindergarten children are dressed like beauty queens and paraded around for prizes.

We explore our definitions to find out why we believe, feel, and think as we do. Some people will like it, other’s won’t. So it is in all aspects of life.